Irom Chanu Sharmila, better known as the Iron Lady of Manipur for her celebrated 16-year-long crusade against the ‘draconian’ Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is making waves in Kashmir.
Sharmila, along with Sanjay Nahar, founder of ‘Sarhad’, a social organization dedicated to work in the border areas, met Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti this week in Srinagar.
Sources said, Sharmila was accorded a befitting reception by the Chief Minister and was welcomed with warm hearts at all the places she visited.
Sarhad has initiated a new forum, ‘AAASSH’ – meaning hope, which will provide a platform to market products produced by women artisans from conflict-prone zones.
Irom Sharmila is the brand ambassador of AAASSH. She has been touring different parts of Kashmir for last few days, understanding the plight of Kashmiri women and children.
Irom has also met the Chairperson of the Women Commission, Kashmir and interacted with girls, students and women.
It is learnt that during her visits, Sharmila was asked number of questions regarding people and culture of Manipur and the Northeast.
Sharmila felt a bonding and a feeling of sisterhood is going to be established between the people of Kashmir, especially women and people of the Northeast thereby bringing together people of the two regions.